Drum roll please ….

The best New Zealand books for 2014 have been announced.  Jill Trevelyan’s  non-fiction – Peter McLeavey: The life and times of a New Zealand art dealer – has been named the New Zealand Post Book of the Year 2014. The book also won the general non-fiction award, netting the author a total prize of $25,000.

Broadcaster Miriama Kamo, who convened a panel of five judges, said the book not only told the story of McLeavey’s life, gallery, love of art, and deep friendships with artists – it also explored the emerging art scene in Wellington and across the country.

NZ POST BOOK AWARD WINNERS

Book of the Year ($15,000 prize)
Peter McLeavey: The life and times of a New Zealand art dealer by Jill Trevelyan (Te Papa Press)

General non-fiction ($10,000 prize)
Peter McLeavey: The life and times of a New Zealand art dealer by Jill Trevelyan (Te Papa Press)

Fiction ($10,000 prize)
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (Victoria University Press)

Poetry ($10,000 prize)
Us, then by Vincent O’Sullivan (Victoria University Press)

Illustrated non-fiction ($10,000 prize)
Coast: A New Zealand journey by Bruce Ansley and Jane Ussher (Random House NZ/Godwit)

Nielsen Booksellers’ Choice ($2500 prize)
Molesworth: Stories from New Zealand’s largest high country station by Harry Broad and Rob Suisted (Craig Potton Publishing)

People’s Choice ($5000 prize)
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (Victoria University Press)

New Zealand Society of Authors best first book ($2500 prize each, announced 16 July)
Tough by Amy Head (Victoria University Press)

Horse with Hat by Marty Smith (Victoria University Press)

Tragedy at Pike River Mine by Rebecca Macfie (Awa Press)

 

[Source: Matthew Backhouse, APNZ report]  Read the full story here